Motor-control system



Sept. 2

w. M. HUTCHISON MOTOR com'nox, SYSTEM Filed sent. a. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I200 VOLTS 600V0L7'5 WITN SE 6,500,

INVENTOR ATTORNEY W/l/iam MJ11/fchi50/7. BY

Sept. 2 1924. 1,506,754

W. M. HUTCHISON MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Sent. 1921 2 sheets-Sheet 2 A200 Volt opration "IHI'ZI/COHNECT/ONS.

F/ya

Fly. 6.

? Gray/m Ground 0% W BY w ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNETE. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAIM M. HUTGHISON, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO \VEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC 82; MANUFACI'URING COIREPANY, A CORPORATION OF lENN- SYLVANIA.

MOTOR-CONTROL SYSTEM.

Application filed September To (LU whom it army concern-1 Be it known that I, VJILLIAM M. Hn'rorrisoiv, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vsillrinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Motor-Control Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to motor-control systems and it has particular relation to control systms for governing a plurality of motors that may be energized from several different sou ces of electrical energy to drive a railway vehicle.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved control system for operating a plurality oil motors which may be energized from different sources of electrical energy at different perio s of time.

Another object my invention is to provide automatic means for protecting the motors ot a car, when the motors are connected to a source of electrical energy of higher potential tnan that with which they have previously been associated and to provide means "for automatically resetting the protective device as soon as the relation of the motors l been changed to permit successful operation thereof from the source of higher potential.

Br ly speaking, my invention consists in providing a switch for governing the energiaation of the actuating coils of a plurality of switches that control the operation of the main motors and in providing a relay device for automatically controlling the opening and closing of this switch in accordance with the voltage of the electrical energy that is supplied to the driving motors.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 of which is a diagrammatic view of a control system, for a plurality of motors, that embodies my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the auxiliary control system for governing a plurality of switches that are illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sequence chart showing the order of closure of the main switches that are illustrated in Fig. 1;

F ig 4 is a view, in side elevation, of a 8, 1921. Serial N0. 499,226.

portion of a change over switch employed in the control system illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig.5 to F ig. 8, inclusive, are simplified diagrammatic views of the main circuit connections that are employed under various operating conditions in conjunction with my present invention.

The motor-control system that is illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality oi? motors 1 to 4, inclusive, respectively, having armatures 5 to 8, inclusive, and corresponding field-magnet windings 9 to 12. The motors 1 to 1, inclusive, may be energized by a suitable source of electrical energy, such, for example, as a trolley conductor 13 and a return circuit marked Ground. A phn'ality of line switches or circuit-breakers 1 1 to 17, inclusive, are om ployed for respectively connecting the motors 1 to 4 to the trolley-conductor 13. A plurality of contact'ors 18, 19 and 21 to 2 1, inclusive, are employed for connecting the motors 1 to 1, inclusive, in series and in parallel relation.

A plurality of starting resistors 25 and 26 may be shunted by means of the contactors 27 and 28, and 29 and 30. respectively. A starting resistor 31 may be shuntcd by a contactor 32. A change over switch 33 is provided with a plurality of operating positions respectively corresponding to 00- volt and BOO-volt operation of the motors. it is to be understood that these voltages are taken for the purpose of illustration only and may be any other values that operating conditions require.

The change over switch is provided with a plurality of control fingers 3 to 37. inclusive, which may be engaged by contact segments 38 to 10, inclusive, to connect the motors 1 and 2 in series and in parallel relation, and is further provided with a plurality of control lingers ll to 1 1, inclusive, which may be engaged by the contact segments d5 to 4:7, inclusive. to connect the motors 3 and 1 in series and in parallel relation. according to whether the motors 1 to l, imlusive, are energized from the 1200- volt or the 600 volt supply circuit.

The change over switch 33 is also provided with a plurality of control lingers 18 to be engaged by a plurality of contact segments 19 to 54, inclusive, for connecting portions of the starting resistors 25, 26 and 31 in series and in paralle relation, respectively, with corresponding portions of the same resistorsv in accordance with the voltage that is applied to the motors 1 to l, in elusive.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the til wing, a controller having an Oil position and a plurality of operating positions 1 to 4-, inelusive, is provided with a plurality of control lingers 58 to 66, inclusive, which may be engaged by contact segments 6? to 7v), inclusive, in a manner hereinafter"more tully described.

A rnotongenerator set or dynainotor 71, comprising a motor '72 and a generator 78, having armatures 7 1 and 75, respectively, and corresponding series tield-magnet windings l6 and 77, is employed for changing the voltage from 1200 volts to 600 volts to energize the actuating coils of the switches that are illustrated in Fig. 1. The generator T3 is also provided vith a shunt iieldmagnet winding 78.

A changeover maste' switch 80, having an Oil position, a litlllolt position and a GOO-volt position, i employed for governing the energization of a plurality of 3 v 1 n luatlng (10118 81 and 62, which control ine movement of the changeover switc l l ig. 4t. of the drawing}. A switch provided to govern the energization of the auxiliary circuits comprising the actuating coils of the main switches, car lights, and

the like.

A. relay device 8 1 for governing the switcl S8 is provided with actuating coil 84c and a holding coil S ll), which may be energized from an auxiliary resistor 8:). A plurality of switches 86 to (9, inclusive are employed for manually coin'iecting various lighting, heating and other auxiliary circuits to a source 0t energy.

The changeover switch 3 should e actuated to either its 600 or 1200 volt position, at a period when the motors 1 to l, inclusive, are energized from a portion of the trolley conductor 1-3 having a potential of 600 volts. The actuating coil 81 ol the changeover switch 33 is energized vhen the master changeover switch 80 occupies its 1200 volt position by a circuit thatis established iron the trolley com'luctor 13 through switch 90, control fingers 91 and 97, which are bridged by contact segment 99 oil the changeover switch 33., switches 83 and S6, blowout coil 106 of the in ster changeover switch 80, control fingers 107 and 116. which are bridged by contact segment 117, any ary control resistor 117/1, actuating coil of the changeover switch 33, control tin- 118 and 119, which are bridged by con segment 12-0 of the changeover switch 3?), and interlock 15-0ut to Ground.

It the changeover switch 33 occupies its gers 1200 volt position and the master changeover switch is actua ed to its (500 volt position, a circuit is established from the trolley conductor 13 through switch 90, con trol lingers 91 and 92, which are bridged by Contact segment 93, armature 7 1 and held-magnet winding 76 of the motor 72', control lingers and 97, which are bridged by contact segment switches 83 and S0. blowout coil ice of the inas.er changeover switch 80, control lingers it)? and 121, which are bridged by contact segment 122, auxilv control resistor 123, actuating coil 82,

changeover switch 33, control tin- 119 and 12%, which are brid -ed by consegment 120 and interlock 15-out to e coil 62 of the main changeover s energized, the switch 33 is acd to its 600 volt position.

ll tl switch 83 occupies its open posibecause the changeover switch 33 cccupied its 600 volt position, when the control system was energized by a current of 1900 volts L ii,

potential, the switch 33 of the actuated manually or pneumati- Its 1200 volts position, thereby start i generator set '72 to operate. changeover switches 33 of the other :ars train (not shown) may be governed master changeover switch 80. ile operation of the control system is hegun by actuating a manually operable switch 90 to its closed position. ll? the changeover switch 31-) occupies its l2tl0-volt position. as illustrz ted, a circuit is establ shed from trolley-conductor 13) through manually operable switch 80, control fingers 91 and which are bridged by contact segment 93, armature l: and series fieldmagnet winding '76 of the motor 72 of the motor-generator set 71. control lingers 9 1- aud 94;, which are bridged by contact seg ment 96 ot the chan eover switch 33, series field-magnet windi g T7 and the parallel circuit comprising shunt held-magnet wii'iding 7; and armature T5 of the generator 73, to Ground.

The voltage across the motor 72 and gene ator 3 is thus 1200 volts and the machines signed that they each take 600 volts,

raking the potential of the contact v ther yi 0 segment 96 of the changeover switch 33 equal to 300 volts.

A. circuit is provided from the contact segment 96 throng control linger 97 and resistor t l-i to ron l Upon the energixation of the resist r 8 current is supplied 'lrom the tap 98 thereof through the contact menil'iers of th relay device 81, actuating coil of the switch S3 and the actuat coil Set/z of the relay device 81;. which (fl is are connected in parallel relation, to Ground.- 'l he switch 83 will assume its closed position upon energization of its actuating coil. The relay device 8 1 will re main in its lower position unless the voltage across the terminals of the actuating coil 84a is greater than any selected setting or value between 600 and1200 volts, such, for example, as 750 volts.

ii a potential of 600 volts is to be impressed upon the trolley-conchictor at starting, the changeover switch 33 is first actuated to its GOO-volt position and current is supplied from the trolley-conductor 13 through manually-operated switch 90, controlf fingers 91 and 97 of the changeover switch 33, which are bridged by contact segment 99, and control resistor 85 to Ground.

When the switch 83 has assumed its closed position, the switches .86 to 89, inclusive, may be closed manually to energize the various auxiliary circuits,'such as the car lights and circuits for energizing the actuating coils of the switches that are illustrated in Fig. 1.

A relay device 101 which is governed by the pressure of air in a suitable reservoir, provided for governing the energization of the motor 7 2, when it is operating on 600 volts solely to operate an air compressor (not shown). \Vhen the air pressure that actuates the brake mechanism falls below a predetermined value, the pressure relay 101 assumes its closed position, thereby establishing a circuit from the trolley-conductor 13 through manually-operated switch 90, control fingers 91 and -97 of the changeover switch 33, contact segment 99, switch 83, compressor relay 101, control fingers 102 and 92, which are bridged by contact segment 103 of the changeover switch 33, armature 74 and series field-magnet winding 76 of the motor 72 and control fingers 95 and 104i. of the chan eover switch 33 which are bridged by contact segment 105, to Ground.

The air compressor is mechanically connected to the motor 72 of the motor-generator set 71 and is driven thereby. The air compressor supplies fluid pressure for actuating the switches and the brakes. hen the air pressure within the reservoir increases above a predetermined value, the compressor relay 101 is opened, thereby deenergizing the motor 72. lVhsn the switches 13 and 86 are closed, the control finger 63 of the controller 57 is energized by a circuit that extends from switch 83 through switch 86, blow-out coil 106, and control fingers 107 and 108 of the changeover master switch 80, which are brid ed by contact segment 109, to control finger 63, thereby furnishing a positive terminal from which the control fingers 58 to 66, inclusive, of the master controller 57 may be energized upon its being actuated through its various positions, 1, 2', 3 and 4.

An auxiliary resistor 110 is provided for energizing the actuating coils of the main switches, in accordance with a familiar practice.

The auxiliary circuits for governing the actuating coils of the contactors shown in Fig. 1 have not been shown beyond the control fingers of the controller 57, as their construction and arrangement are well understood in the art. The order of closure of the contactors and line switches that are itlustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing is set forth in the sequence chart of Fig. The various main circuits will not be described, except to say that when the motors are operated at 1200 volts, which condition corresponds to the illustrated position of the changeover switch 33, and when the control ler 57 occupies its position, 1, the tour motors 1, 2, 3 and are connected in series relation with the starting resistors 20 and 31 across the supply circuit (see Fig.

In notch 2' of the controller 57, the starting resistors 25, 20 and 31 are shunted by the contactors 27 to 30, inclusive, and 32, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. In notch 3 of the controller 5?, the motors 1 and 2 are connected in series relation with the starting resistor 25 between tne trolleyconductor 13 and L'l round, while the motors 3 and A} are connected in series relation w the starting resistor between the trolh 13 and Ground. (See Fig. 0). in notch the starting resistors and 20 are shunted, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. Ci. leaving the motors 1 and 2 in series relation with each other and in parallel relation to the motors 3 and l, which are also connected in series relation one with the other.

lVhen the trolley-conductor has inipressed upon it a potential of (300 volts, the motors 1 and 2 are iirst connected in para relation by reason of the change ver switch being actuated to its GOO-volt position. thereby causing the L airs or control lingers 84 and and 2-10 and to be brid ed by the contact segments as and 39. respcctiwh'. The motors 3 and -lare likewise connected in parallel relation by reason ot the pair of control fingers 411. and 4:2 and 4:3 and ot the change vcr switch 33 being engaged by contact segments to and 16, respectively. Portions of the starting resistors and 31 are connected in parallel relaion by re son of the control fingers 48 ot the chan over switch 33 being respectively enga by corresponding contmt segmen s 50. i3 and 54 to reduce the ohmic value or the resistors 25, 26 and 31 to one-fourth the value they have when the system is energized at a potential of 1200 volts.

The sequence or operation for the switches that govern the motors 1 to a is the same for 600 volts, as for 1200 volts, the motors 1 and 2 being initially connected in parallel relation one to the other and in series relation with the motors 3 and 4:, which are also connected in parallel relation one to the other, the starting resistors 25, 26 and 31 being connected in series relation with the pairs of motors. (See Fig. 7).

The starting resistors 25, 26 and 31 are shunted when the controller 57 is actuated to positions 2, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 7. Upon the controller being notched to position 3, the pair of motors 1 and 2 is connected in parallel relation to the pair of motors 3 and at, and the starting resistors 25 and 26 are connected in series relation with the corresponding pairs of motors. (See Fig. 8).

When the controller is notched to position 1 the starting resistors 25 and 26 are shunted, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8, thereby connecting motors 1 to 4, inclusive, in parallel relation directly between the trolleyconductor 13 and Ground.

lVhen the car comes to the portion of the trolley-conductor 13 that is energized at a potential of 1200 volts, the actuating coil 84a of the relay device 8 will be energized su'tliciently to actuate the relay 8% to its upper position, thereby de-cnergizing the actuating coil of the switch S3 and the coil 84a of the device 84..

A holding circuit is provided for preventing the relay device 84 from assuming its lower position. This circuit extends from the tap 107 of the control resistor 85 through the upper contact terminals of the relay device 84 and the holding coil 84-6 of the relay device 8 to Ground. So long as the voltage across the terminals of the actuating coil 8-1?) is greater than a predetermined value, such, for example, as 750 volts, the relay device 8 L will be maintained in open position and thus prevent the closure of the switch 83.

As soon as the switch 83 is opened, all the actuating coils of the switches illus trated by Fig. 1 of the drawing are. decnergized, thereby causing the switches to assume their open position. lVhen the line voltage has fallen below a predetermined value, the relay device 84; will assume its lower position and the actuating coil of the switch 83 will be energized to effect closure thereof.

The switch 83 is provided with a dash pot 83a to prevent its closure until after the relay 84 has had time to assume its upper position, in case high voltage is applied to the control system, when the switch 83 is open.

1 The current traversing the coils of the relay device S t is reduced when the changeover switch 33 is actuated from its 600volt to its 1200-volt position, as has been previously described.

A low-voltage relay 112 is provided for opening the circuit-breakers 14 to 17 inelusive, upon the failure of power, or u on the car coming upon a portion of the tro ley conductor 13, which is energized at 600 volts potential, when the relay 112 is set to operate under 1200 volt conditions. A resistor 113 is connected in series relation with the actuating coil of the relay 112, when the control system is subjected to current of 1200 volts potential. hen the changeover switch 33 occupies its GOO-volt position, contact segment 11 i bridges a plurality of control fingers 115 to shunt the resistor 113.

If the energization of the control system is suddenly reduced from 1200 volts to 600 volts, the low-voltage relay 112 will assume its open position to de-energize the control system. The relay 112 will automatically close, when the changeover switch 32 is actuated to its GOO-volt position.

From the above description, it is apparent that I have provided a control system for a plurality of motors that are operated at different periods from sources of energy of different potentials, whereby the system is automatically protected from over-voltage and under-voltage conditions and upon discontinuance of such abnormal condition, the protective device corresponding to that abnormal condition automatically assumes its first position.

In other words, when the control system suddenly becomes energized at a potential of 1200 volts, the protective relay device 84 operates to open the switch 83. It is necessary for the operator to return the controller 5'? to the Ofl' position, operate the changeover master switch 80 to effect movement of the changeover switch 33 to its 1200volt position, and then manually actuate the controller 57 to its various running positions. It is not necessary for the operator to perform any manual operation to reset the relay device 84.

Likewise, when the control system has been energized at a potential of 1200 volts and is then energized at a potential of 600 volts, the low-voltage relay 112 will assume its open position. As soon as the changeover switch 33 is actuated to its 600-volt position, the relay 112 will close.

lrvhile I have shown my invention in the preferred form, it is apparent that minor modifications may be made in the arrangement of circuits and in the apparatus employed, without departing from the spirit of my invention. I desire, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a control system, the combination with a translating device and means for supplying current to said device, of a relay device for automatically rendering said means inoperative during abnormal voltage conditions and'tor rendering said means operative u'pon'th'e' cessationot said abnormal conditions. v

2. In a control system, the combination with a translating device and a source or" electrical energy, of a switch having an actua'tiiig coil for connecting said source to said device, and automatic means for de-energiziirg said c'oil upon the voltage fromsaid source becoming greater than a predetermined value and for rte-energizing said coil upon the cessation of said abnorn'ial voltage.

3. In a control system, the combination with a translating device, and a source o't electrical energy, of a switch for connecting said device to said source and means com-' prising a relay device lraving a plurality of coils for governing said switch, said relay device being actuated to its open position by one of said coils upon the occurrence of abnormal voltage conditions and being maintained in it's open position by the other or said coils so long as said abnormal conditions continue;

4. In a control system, the combination with a translating device and a source ott' electrical energy, of a switch for connecting said device to said source and means comprising a relay device having a plurality of positions for governing said switch, said device assuming one position to open said switch upon the occurrence of over-voltage conditions and assuming another position to close said switch upon a cessation of said abnormal conditions.

5. In a control system, the combination with a translating device, a plurality of sources of electrical energy, and a plurality oi switches having actuating coils for governing said device, of a dynamo-electric machine tor supplying energy to said coils upon said device being connected to one of said sources, and automatic means for connecting said coils to one of said sources so long as said device is energized by the same source.

6. The combination with a plurality of motors, a relatively low-voltage source of energy and a relatively high-voltage source of energy, of a changeover switch having a plurality of positions for connecting said motors in different relations in accordance with the source to which said motors are connected, a switch having an actuating coil for governing the energization of said motors and means comprising a relay device for deenergizing said coil upon said motors becoming energized from said high-voltage source and automatic means for rendering said device inoperative after said changeover switch has been actuated to another position.

7 In a control system, the combination with a plurality of motors, of means for connecting said motors in different relations during acceleration thereof, a plurality of sources of voltage, a changeover switch having a plurality of positions tor connecting said motors in ditl'erent relations to correspond with the dill'erent sources of voltage, and automatic means tor tie-energizin said motors upon said system becoming one: ized by a different one ot said sources, said means bec'oi'ning inoperative upon said changeover switch being actuated to a position corresponding to said ditl'erent source.

8. In a control system, the combination with a plurality of motors and sources ol energy at ditlercnt voltages, ot a changeover switch for connecting c rtain of said motors in series and in parallel relation, a plurality of switches having actuating coils for con necting groups of said motors in series and in parallel relation, a dynamo-e]ectric machine for translating said energy, an auxiliary switch tor connecting said actuating coils to said machine upon said motors ..ein?,' energized from one source of energy and tor connecting said coils to a. source of energy at lower voltage upon said motors being energized from the latter source, and means comprising a relay device tor governing said auxiliary switch for automatically opening said switch upon the motors being energized from a source of higher voltage and for closing said switch upon said changeover switch being actuated to the position corresponding to said source of higher voltage.

9. In a control system, the combination with a plurality of motors and relatively high and low voltage sources 01 energy, of means comprising a changeover switch having a plurality of positions for connecting said motors in ditl ercnt relations to correspond to said sources, automatic n'ieans tor de-energizing said system upon said motors becoming energized from the source of low voltage and automatic means for (lo-energizing said motors upon said system becoming energized from the source 0t higher voltage, both of said automatic means being rendered inoperative upon said changeover switch be ing actuated to another position.

10. In a control system, the combination with a plurality of motors and. relatively high and low voltage sources ol energy, oi means comprising a changeover switch having a plurality of positions for connecting said motors in different relations to correspond to said sources, a controller tor 'overning the speed of said motors and to-- matic means for tile-energizing said system upon the position occupied by said changeover switch differing from that corresponding to the source of energization, said means being automatically set to correspond to the change in voltage upon said changeover switch being actuated to its corresponding position.

11. In a control system, the combination with a translating device and a source of electrical energy, of a switch tor connecting said device to said source, means compri ing a relay device having a plurality of coils for governing said switch, said relay device being actuated to its open position by one of said coils upon the occurrence of abnormal voltage conditions and being maintained in its open position by the other of said coils so long as said abnormal voltage conditions continue, and means for preventing said switch from closing simultaneously with said device assuming its open position.

12. In a control system, the combination with a switch having an actuating coil, oi a relay device for governing the energization of said coil, said relay device having an actuating coil and a holding coil, means for energizing said actuating coils of said switch and said device simultaneously, and means for retarding the operation of said switch to prevent its closure upon the opening of said device.

13. In a control system, the combination with a switch having an actuating coil, of a relay device for governing the energization of said coil, said relay device having an actuating coil and a holding coil. means for energizing the actuating coils of said switch and said device simultaneously, and means for retarding the operation of said switch to prevent its closure simultaneously with said device assuming its open position.

14. In a control system, the combination with a translating device and a source oi electrical energy, of means for connecting said device to said source, and autormitic means for effecting an opening of said connecting means when the voltage from said source differs from a certain value and for effecting the closure of said connecting means upon a return of the voltage to said value.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of August IVILLIAM M. H UTCHISON 

